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Wednesday, January 05, 2005

Narnia, Here I Come! R.I.P. Eisner

You're The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe!

by C.S. Lewis

You were just looking for some decent clothes when everything changed quite dramatically. For the better or for the worse, it is still hard to tell. Now it seems like winter will never end and you feel cursed. Soon there will be an epic struggle between two forces in your life and you are very concerned about a betrayal that could turn the balance. If this makes it sound like you're re-enacting Christian theological events, that may or may not be coincidence. When in doubt, put your trust in zoo animals.Take the Book Quizat the Blue Pyramid.

I definitely can think of worse books. I read this series for the first time a few years ago and really enjoyed them. The novelization of the above comes out this coming Christmas, and as it is a relatively short novel, I'll probably re-read it..

Though I haven’t read anything by the man, it is worth noting the passing of Will Eisner (NY TIMES, Newsarama). When a guy nearly every comic creator (NeilGaiman, Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Evanier, Frank Miller, just to name a few) points to as influential, and he was, it is hard to argue. Eisner was writing and drawing BEFORE Bob Kane and up until his death. Eisner created the term and form of the Graphic Novel. The guy has the most prestigous award in the Comic Book Industry named after him.

The second novel in R. Scott Bakker’s The Prince of Nothing saga continues to push the envelope in terms of complexity and tension. The Holy War begun in The Darkness that Comes Before continues to sweep the world of Eärwa. The following of Anusûrimbor Kellhus, the titular Warrior Prophet, grows, just as the opposition to what he represents, grows in size. Kellhus is a conundrum, part Christ-figure, part Buddha-figure, some feel he is a harbinger of the impending doom set to sweep the world, others feel he is the savior who will prevent the destruction of the world.

"I jokingly hesitate to truly call this a work of fantasy considering how absolutely convincing this novel reads as a historical account... Bakker… clamps his hand over yours and simply does not let go… Amid the cluttered shelves of the Epic Fantasy genre, Bakker is a name that stands out amongst, not just the new writers in the crowd, but established and recognized names."

All self-promoting aside, this guy really knows how to write and create stories and worlds. While not a Tolkien imitator, Mr. Bakker has taken the spirit of storytelling and world-building Tolkien invested in LOTR and run with the ball.